Whistler, British Columbia Population & Demographics: How Many People Live Here?

Data source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population — View the official Whistler census dataset on Statistics Canada

This article shows the demographic data and statistics of Whistler. It is a township in Canada that encompasses a land area of 240.00 km2. The township has a population density of 58.30 people per km2.

We highlight the Whistler township's various population characteristics. From gender, age distribution, ethnicity, household and dwelling, and income to spoken languages, occupation, and religion.

Whistler on the Map

The map and listings below are sourced from OpenStreetMap contributors, not Statistics Canada, and may be incomplete depending on how thoroughly the area has been mapped.

Whistler location on the map. View in Google Map

Population Characteristics

According to the latest census, Whistler has a population of around 13,982 people. The township's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Whistler has increased by 19.04%.

Population in 2016Population in 2021Difference
11,74613,982 +19.04%

2026 Population Projection

Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.55% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Whistler's population is projected to reach approximately 16,644 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 69.35 people per km².

Population in 2021Projected Population in 2026Projected Density in 2026 (per km²)
13,98216,64469.35

This projection is an estimate calculated by CAPopulation from the compound annual growth rate between the 2016 and 2021 censuses. Official 2026 complete census data expected to be released in late 2027.

Population By Genders

The male population of Whistler is around 7,510 while the female population is around 6,470.

Of the 13,982 total population in Whistler, the largest gender is male with around 7,510 women within the population.

MaleFemaleDifference
7,5106,470 +13.85%

Is Whistler a Good Place to Live?

Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Whistler compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against British Columbia, its own province. Draw your own conclusions from the actual numbers.

Employment & Economy

17.5%
Unemployment rate
9.1 pts above the province
66.8%
Employment rate
8.9 pts above the province
81.0%
Participation rate
17.7 pts above the province

Income & Affordability

$99,000
Median household income
$14,000 above the province
6.8%
Below low-income threshold (LIM-AT)
4.0 pts below the province

Commute

87.6%
Commute under 30 minutes
21.8 pts above the province
67.7%
Commute by car
12.2 pts below the province
10.5%
Commute by public transit
1.2 pts above the province

Housing Character

29.7%
Single-detached houses
12.7 pts below the province
35.0%
Apartments (any building size)
8.5 pts below the province

Household Composition

2.40 people
Average household size
About the same as the province
29.0%
One-person households
0.4 pts below the province

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.

Other Townships Near Whistler

Population by Age Characteristics

Whistler has a young population. The majority of the population is people aged 25 to 29 years old, accounting for 12.40% of the total population. The township median age is 35.60.

DataMaleFemaleDifferenceTotal
25 to 29 years930 12.40%810 12.50% 12.90%1,740 12.40%
30 to 34 years930 12.40%765 11.80% 17.74%1,695 12.10%
35 to 39 years785 10.50%625 9.70% 20.38%1,410 10.10%
20 to 24 years565 7.50%560 8.70% 0.88%1,125 8.00%
40 to 44 years585 7.80%505 7.80% 13.68%1,095 7.80%
45 to 49 years500 6.70%465 7.20% 7.00%960 6.90%
50 to 54 years500 6.70%465 7.20% 7.00%960 6.90%
55 to 59 years430 5.70%395 6.10% 8.14%825 5.90%
60 to 64 years385 5.10%315 4.90% 18.18%700 5.00%
15 to 19 years355 4.70%285 4.40% 19.72%640 4.60%
10 to 14 years310 4.10%270 4.20% 12.90%585 4.20%
5 to 9 years260 3.50%270 4.20% 3.70%530 3.80%
65 to 69 years305 4.10%230 3.60% 24.59%530 3.80%
0 to 4 years245 3.30%200 3.10% 18.37%445 3.20%
70 to 74 years230 3.10%185 2.90% 19.57%410 2.90%
75 to 79 years130 1.70%80 1.20% 38.46%205 1.50%
80 to 84 years45 0.60%35 0.50% 22.22%80 0.60%
Average age of the population38 38.20%38 37.60% 2.62%38 37.90%
Median age of the population36 35.60%36 35.60% 0.00%36 35.60%
85 years and over25 0.30%15 0.20% 40.00%35 0.30%
85 to 89 years15 0.20%5 0.10% 66.67%20 0.10%

Broader Age Groups

If the township's population is divided into broader age groups, most of the population falls into the 15 to 64 years age group. The group accounts for 79.80% of the population. The other age groups, 0 to 14 years and 65 years and over, account for 11.10% and 9.00%, respectively.

If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Whistler are within the 15 to 64 years age group.

DataMaleFemaleTotal
0 to 14 years10.90%11.50%11.10%
65 years and over9.70%8.30%9.00%

Photos of Places & Sceneries in Whistler

Population of Whistler by Ethnicity and Origin

The population of Whistler is quite diverse, which contributes to the township's vibrant cultural landscape. Whistler is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the province appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.

The top 5 ethnicities and origins in the province are English, which accounts for 27.34% of the total population, followed by Scottish (19.66%), Irish (17.69%), Canadian (12.03%), and German (8.23%).

Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include French, British Isles, Australian, Caucasian (White), and Italian.

Ethnicity and OriginMaleFemalePercentage in Population
English26.80%27.92%27.34%
Scottish20.08%19.17%19.66%
Irish17.28%18.14%17.69%
Canadian12.88%11.06%12.03%
German7.00%9.71%8.23%
French7.49%8.35%7.90%
British Isles7.07%6.44%6.78%
Australian5.88%5.41%5.66%
Caucasian (White)4.76%3.58%4.25%
Italian4.27%4.06%4.13%

Immigration Profile

Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Whistler's population profile.

About 24.7% of Whistler's population are immigrants (3,320 people).

The top countries of origin for Whistler's immigrant population are United Kingdom (840), Philippines (445), United States of America (200), Germany (80), France (55).

Only using 25% sample data.
Country of BirthPopulation
United Kingdom840
Philippines445
United States of America200
Germany80
France55

Household and Dwelling Characteristics

About 1,970 of Whistler's population live in a 2 persons. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.

Household Size

About 17.60% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 14.50% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 7.80%, 6.40%, and 3.70%, respectively.

Number of Person(s) in HouseholdTotalPercentage
2 persons1,97017.60%
1 person1,62014.50%
3 persons8757.80%
4 persons7156.40%
5 or more persons4153.70%

Income in Whistler

Analyzing income distribution in Whistler can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.

Per Capita Income

According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Whistler is $44,800.

A region's per capita data sheds light on the average income earned per person living in it. Since per capita income is calculated by dividing the region's total income by its population, it quantifies the population's economic situation on an individual basis.

Such data offers insights into the township's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.

Most of Whistler population or around 2,865 people falls in the $10,000 to $29,999 group. The next largest groups are the $30,000 to $49,999, and $50,000 to $79,999 with around 2,235 and 1,800 people, respectively.

Household Income

The Whistler's median household income is $99,000, according to 2020 data.

Above national average Whistler's median household income is 15,000 dollars above the Canadian national median of $84,000 (2020 data, 2021 Census).

The data provides important insights into the township's economic landscape as well as the living standards of its population.

Analyzing such data enables researchers, policymakers, and businesses to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the township's income distribution, disparities, and trends.

Education Levels in Whistler

This data sheds light on the distribution of Whistler residents across educational milestones.

Such information is crucial in shaping the province’s policies on education, workforce development strategies, and initiatives that aim to improve access to quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities.

70.10% or most of the Whistler population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 39.45% of the population has a Bachelor's degree or higher, 26.80% has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 3.05% has No certificate, diploma or degree.

Only using 25% sample data.
DegreeMenWomenTotalPercentage
Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree7,1057,47514,58070.10%
Bachelor's degree or higher3,7254,4808,20539.45%
High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate3,5152,1505,66026.80%
No certificate, diploma or degree4402406803.05%

Above national average 39.5% of Whistler's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).

Employment in Whistler

This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Whistler. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.

The data shows that the unemployment rate in Newfoundland and Labrador is at 14.14% which is very high.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusPercentage
Employment rate66.85%
Unemployment rate14.14%

Working as an Employee

The table shows the data on the total number of individuals in the township who work as an employee. The majority of Whistler's population (around 60.60%) are working permanent position as an employee.

Self-employed

In the township, there are 1,160 men and 910 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 2,065.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusMenWomenTotal
Self-employed1,1609102,065

Employment Industry Sectors

The Whistler industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Whistler is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.

Whistler has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (28%) works in the accommodation and food services sector. The Construction sector comes second at 10%, followed by Retail trade at 9%.

Only using 25% sample data.
IndustryMenWomenPercentage
Accommodation and food services1,4701,18528%
Construction89010010%
Retail trade4554259%
Professional, scientific and technical services4353759%
Arts, entertainment and recreation3453057%
Health care and social assistance604856%
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services2652405%
Public administration2052004%
Educational services1252704%
Other services (except public administration)1202354%
Real estate and rental and leasing1451854%
Manufacturing1051252%
Finance and insurance145802%
Transportation and warehousing135302%
Wholesale trade100402%
Information and cultural industries60601%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting30301%
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction4501%
Utilities1000%
Management of companies and enterprises10100%

Labour Market Snapshot

A quick snapshot of where Whistler residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.

Top employer sectors in Whistler: Accommodation and food services (28%), Construction (10%), -45 Retail trade (9%)

Top occupation categories in Whistler: Sales and service occupations (41%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (16%), Business, finance and administration occupations (15%)

Places of Work

The data offers insights into the commuting patterns as well as workplace distribution in the township. It provides a snapshot of workplaces, showing their geographic distribution and the flow of workers across different areas.

Only using 25% sample data.
Work LocationMenWomenTotalPercentage
Usual place of work2,3202,2004,52056.90%
Worked at home8409601,79522.60%
No fixed workplace address1,1054901,59020.00%
Worked outside Canada1030350.40%

Commuting

The data sheds light on how Whistler residents travel to school or work. It highlights the frequency of different modes of transportation like walking, cycling, carpooling, and public transit.

The data is pivotal in the making of transportation policies as well as the development of transit systems. Ultimately commuting data contributes to improving the quality of life of Whistler residents and sustainable urban planning.

Commuting Duration

This data reveals the average time that the residents of Whistler spend traveling to their workplaces. It also sheds light on the efficiency of the township's public transit systems, and road networks, as well as the accessibility of the township.

Only using 25% sample data.
DurationPercentage
Less than 15 minutes56.50%
15 to 29 minutes31.10%
30 to 44 minutes6.70%
60 minutes and over3.30%
45 to 59 minutes2.50%

Marital Status

The statistics on marital status in Whistlershed light on its societal dynamics. It captures the diverse types of marital statuses of the population.

Long-term commitments, such as common-law partnerships, civil unions, and marriages, reflect the township's social fabric. We can gain insights into Whistler's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.

Married or living common-law
52.25%
Married or living common-law
47.75%

Language Spoken

The data below highlights township's linguistic diversity, showing elegances of solo language as well as bilingual harmonies. Other than language, it also shows the cultural landscape in Canada.

English is the most spoken official language in Whistler. About 13,245 people living in the province speak English, 615 people speak French, 65 people speak Neither English nor French language, and 60 people speak English and French language.

LanguagePopulation
English13,245
French615
Neither English nor French65
English and French60

Mother Tongue & Home Language

Useful for newcomers researching an area: this shows the language residents first learned at home in childhood (mother tongue) and the language they speak most often at home now, which can differ as families settle in.

LanguageMother TongueSpoken Most Often at Home
English79.3%90.3%
Non-official languages14.0%6.1%
French4.4%1.6%

Religion

Whistler is predominantly Christian. About 3,280 of its population is Christian (1,710 males and 1,710 females).

The second largest religion in the province is Jewish with 1.1% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Buddhist and Muslim, both represent 0.6% and 0.4% of the population, while Hindu represent 0.0% of the population.

ReligionPopulation
Christian24.4%
Jewish1.1%
Buddhist0.6%
Islam0.4%
Hindu0.0%
Sikh0.0%

Points of Interest in Whistler

Schools

Parks

Libraries

Places to Visit in Whistler

Museums

Attractions

Historic Sites

Theatres

Green Spaces in Whistler

NameTypeApprox. Area
Wayside ParkParks1.1 ha
Alpha Lake ParkParks2.5 ha
Lakeside ParkParks1.2 ha
Rainbow ParkParks4.6 ha
Myrtle Philip Recreation GroundParks2.5 ha
Florence Peterson ParkParks0.7 ha
Alexander Falls Recreation SiteParks6.1 ha
Cal-cheak Recreation SiteParks44.2 ha
Millar's Pond ParkParks0.5 ha
Village Park WestParks0.2 ha
Village ParkParks0.1 ha
Village ParkParks0.2 ha
Spruce ParkParks9.3 ha
Snowflake ParkParks1.0 ha
Rebagliati ParkParks0.2 ha
White Gold ParkParks0.4 ha
Inukshuk ParkParks0.4 ha
Boulder ParkParks0.2 ha
Balsam ParkParks0.3 ha
Bottomless Pond ParkParks0.9 ha
Eva Lake ParkParks0.5 ha
Taluswood ParkParks0.7 ha
Marmot ParkParks0.1 ha
Whistler Interpretive ForestNature Reserves2,850.3 ha

Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.

Frequently Asked Questions about Whistler

According to the 2021 census, Whistler has a population of approximately 13,982 people.

Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Whistler increased by 19.04%.

Whistler has a population density of approximately 58.30 people per square kilometre.

Whistler covers a land area of approximately 240.00 km².

The median age of the population in Whistler is 35.60 years.

The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Whistler is English.

The median household income in Whistler is $99,000, based on 2020 data.

English is the most common first official language spoken in Whistler.

Christian is the predominant religion in Whistler.

Statistics Canada (statcan.gc.ca) conducted the 2026 Census of Population in May 2026. However, census data goes through an extensive processing, validation, and quality-assurance period before public release. Based on the release plan, the 2026 Census results begin rolling out on February 10, 2027, with complete community-level profiles available by December 1, 2027. Until then, this page uses 2021 Census data as its primary source, supplemented by a population projection estimate for 2026 calculated using the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from the 2016–2021 Census period.